MTA announces major fare changes to lure riders back

OMNY tap-and-go fare changes

The MTA is testing major changes to its fare structure, passing a new pilot program that would cap costs for riders as long as they use the new tap-and-pay OMNY system.

NEW YORK - The MTA Board passed a new pilot program Wednesday that would cap costs for riders as long as they use the new tap-and-pay OMNY system.

Anyone using the OMNY tap-and-go system will be charged the standard $2.75 per ride for their first twelve trips, beginning every Monday. After that, every trip will be free through the following Sunday.

That adds up to paying $33 a week, which is the current price of a seven-day unlimited ride Metrocard.

The move is part of an ongoing effort to lure riders back onto subways, buses, and trains.

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The pilot program begins on March 1 and will last for at least four months. Also part of the program is a 10% discount on monthly tickets for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.

There is also a new 20-trip ticket, which offers a 20% discount on went peak one-way fares and a "city ticket " which will allow riders to use the LIRR/Metro-North within NYC limits for weekday off-peak trains.

The MTA is dependent on commuters getting back on buses, subways and trains.

"We're a $16B business that's lost half its customers and we're fighting to get them back," said Janno Lieber, the MTA's Acting Chair and CEO.